I'm new to freelancing, and I've realized there's a huge gap between the advice you see online and what actually happens in the real world.
Was there anything you were convinced was true at first, but later found out was completely wrong?
I'd love to hear the lessons that only come from experience.
Not trying to sell anything, genuinely curious. Everyone talks about "just build a portfolio" or "just cold pitch" like it's simple, but I feel like there's a trust/credibility problem that nobody really talks about — especially if you're starting out with basically zero track record.
For those of you who've been through it: what actually got you your first client? Was it luck, a connection, undercutting on price, something else? And looking back, what do you wish someone had told you before you started?
Asking because I'm thinking about freelancing myself and want to hear it straight from people who've actually done it, not just theory.
I've used a couple of freelancing platforms and also read a lot of reviews from other freelancers online — commission cuts and low pay seem to be a consistent complaint, especially for people just starting out.
Curious if others here have felt the same, specifically as students trying to freelance on the side:
What's been your biggest frustration trying to freelance while studying?
Did you ever find a platform or method that actually worked well for you?
Do you think existing platforms just aren't built with students in mind, or is that not really the issue?